The 500 MW floating solar power project will be built on Keenjhar Lake

KARACHI – The Sindh Transmission & Dispatch Company (STDC) and GO Energy Private Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for transmission of a 500 MW floating solar power plant on Keenjhar Lake in Sindh.

The chief guest at the signing ceremony held in Karachi was Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Minister of Energy, Government of Sindh. Other dignitaries present on the occasion were Musaddiq Ali Khan, Secretary Energy, Government of Sindh, M. Saleem Shaikh, General Manager Sindh Transmission & Dispatch Company, Ammar Ali, General Manager, GO Energy and Haris Jamil, General Manager Secretariat, K- Electric.

The 500 MW floating solar power project will become one of the largest floating solar installations in the world, equipped with state-of-the-art solar panels and floating infrastructure designed to meet the unique environmental challenges of Keenjhar Lake.

During the construction and implementation phases, the project will create thousands of jobs, while stimulating economic growth in the region and contributing to the development of Pakistan’s renewable energy industry. By generating clean energy, this project will help reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels, improving air quality and contributing to a greener and healthier Pakistan.

In his speech on the occasion, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah emphasized the need for sustainable, renewable and eco-friendly energy. “The Government of Sindh is proud to be a part of the 500 MW floating solar project on Keenjhar Lake, providing an enabling environment to encourage investment in the renewable energy industry, reducing dependence on imported fuel, as well as reducing the overall cost of electricity for the people of Sindh. This project will be a milestone and achievement for the Sindh government as we will continue to provide full support to make the project operational as soon as possible.”

Keenjhar Lake, located in the heart of Sindh, offers an ideal environment to harness solar energy to generate clean and sustainable electricity without using land that can be used for agricultural purposes. The project will also reduce water evaporation losses by more than 50% in the covered area of ​​Keenjhar Lake, which is the main source of fresh water supply for the largest city Karachi and adjoining areas.

Musaddiq Ali Khan, Secretary Energy, Government of Sindh, noted, “We welcome GO Energy’s efforts to develop this innovative 500 MW floating solar power project on Keenjhar Lake. This groundbreaking initiative aligns perfectly with our provincial and national goals to increase renewable energy generation capacity and reduce our carbon footprint. The government is committed to supporting projects that not only increase our energy security, but also create jobs and promote sustainable development in our country. We look forward to working closely with GO Energy to ensure the success of this revolutionary project.

This landmark project, a first of its kind, is expected to generate more electricity from solar energy compared to land-based projects using the natural cooling effects of the Keenjhar Lake reservoir, which will translate into cheap electricity that will reduce the overall network basket factor, and while protecting marine life and reducing our dependence on imported fuel.

M. Saleem Shaikh, CEO, Sindh Transmission & Dispatch Company, said, “We at STDC are pleased to be part of the 500 MW floating solar power project at Keenjhar Lake as it represents an innovative approach to integrating renewable energy into the KE grid. Our team is committed to providing the necessary infrastructure and expertise to seamlessly connect this significant solar power generation capacity to the grid, ensuring a reliable and sustainable energy supply to the people of Karachi and adjacent areas.

Ammar Ali, CEO, GO Energy, said, “We are excited to embark on this historic journey in collaboration with the Government of Sindh to develop a unique and innovative renewable energy project at Keenjhar Lake. The bankable feasibility study for the project was completed by the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS), which has extensive experience in floating solar panels around the world. Environmental approvals are in their final stages with SEPA and the EPC tender process is ongoing. Tariff approval is expected before the end of this year, with financial close early next year. This project underlines our unwavering commitment to combating climate change and driving economic growth through sustainable means. Together with our partners and stakeholders, we are determined to create a brighter and cleaner future for Pakistan.”